Esteemed Federal Government columnist and radio host Norman “Mike” Causey passed away late last month at the age of 82.
At the Federal News Network and WTOP Radio studios in Friendship Heights, Causey had wrapped up recording a radio segment when he was found unresponsive in his office by a colleague. Valiant bystander CPR, as well as attempts from Montgomery County Fire & Rescue, proved unsuccessful.
Causey joined Federal News Network, previously Federal News Radio, in the early 2000s. Prior to jumping over to radio, Mike Causey wrote the iconic Federal Diary daily column in the Washington Post. Causey remained a newsroom legend at Federal News Network and throughout the Federal Government. At FNN, his columns and posts were frequently their most popular online content. Mike Causey is also credited with popularizing the now-mainstream phrase “Inside the Beltway.”
In a tweet, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin remembered Mike Causey as “a fierce advocate for the federal workforce. His institutional knowledge, which was legendary, and his distinct voice will be missed dearly. My condolences to his family and colleagues.”
An online Federal News Network remembrance, posted shortly after Causey’s death, highlighted how “Mike never took himself, or the content, too seriously…Former Federal News Network workforce reporter Nicole Ogrysko…recalled how Causey, preferring to read things in hard copy, once tried to print out the entire bill text of the Affordable Care Act — all 974 pages of it”.
Mike Causey’s grandson, Tyler Guthrie, highlighted Causey’s extensive familial presence in Montgomery County. The day he died, Causey had been planning to meet family at Pines of Rome, an Italian Restaurant that Causey had been visiting with two generations of his family for almost four decades. He also patronized Wild Tomato restaurant in Cabin John, where he lived for more than three decades, and the Irish Inn at Glen Echo. Causey’s morning routines often revolved around stopping for coffee and visiting friends at Cabin John’s Market on the Boulevard.
Causey’s son, Michael Causey, further emphasized how much Causey loved Montgomery County and the surrounding area, remembering him as a man of the World who especially loved the DC area. Mike loved spending time along the C & O Canal and visiting other establishments including Clyde’s of Chevy Chase, Signature Cigars, and Cafe Deluxe.
After hearing of his death, the owners of Signature Cigars hung Mike Causey’s photo on the wall of their shop, in remembrance of an exceptional journalist and pillar of the community.
Featured Image: Family Photo
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 12, at Cedar Brook Church at 23700 Stringtown Road in Clarksburg at 3pm for 2021 Northwest High School graduate Brian Nichols. Nichols passed away unexpectedly on January 24.
Jag Nation is extremely devastated to learn of the passing of Brian Nichols a 2021 grad. He could put a smile on your face during the worst of days. He always put others happiness first and truly cared for all. He truly had a positive impact on all and will be missed dearly.❤️ pic.twitter.com/zhUDTOVFVD
— JAG NATION (@Northwest_Jags) January 25, 2022
Obituary:
Brian Patrick Nichols, age 19, went home to the Lord unexpectedly on Monday January 24, 2022.
Brian had a passion for sports, particularly football. Brian won numerous awards in Basketball, Baseball, and Football. He was loved and admired by his coaches and teammates. A natural leader on the field, Brian had an innate ability to command respect from those around him. Brian had raw talent and a tall athletic build mixed with contagious enthusiasm, toughness, and commitment. He always excelled even when every obstacle seemed stacked against him. Brian endured challenges that no one should have to endure. He did so without complaint and without self-pity. Through it all, without thought of himself, he maintained his kindness and love for others.
Always present with his dynamic wit and personality, he was a beacon of strength for his family. Even when it was darkest, he was someone the family could lean on when times were tough. Brian maintained his kindness and compassion and always made everyone laugh with his sense of humor and light-hearted attitude. He truly was an exceptional young man.
Brian was not only talented in sports, he was also a gifted guitar player and avid music lover. Brian was a beautiful person inside and out and had a smile that would light up any room. He will be sorely missed.
Brian was preceded in death by his father John Edward Nichols and is survived by his mother Laura Nichols, grandmother Joan Nichols, his brothers Anthony Cardona, Frankie Cardona, John Nichols, sister Carly (affectionately known by Brian as Car-sone) and too many wonderful Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and 2nd Cousins to name individually.
Donations to help support the Nichols Family can be made via the link below. https://gofund.me/7c0f3f15
Rev. Protopresbyter Nicholas J. Despotides, 93, passed away on Sunday, January 23, 2022 with his family by his side. He was born on the island of Amorgos, Greece and moved to the United States in 1956.
He was the co-owner, with his wife, of Despotides Gardens in Potomac, MD. He made his home in Potomac, MD for 54 years before moving to Newport News, VA to be near his daughter. He was a founding member of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Bethesda, MD where he served in many capacities as Chanter, Deacon and later in life as the Associate Priest.
He served the community and his family with love and devotion to his faith. Father Nick as he was called and will be remembered was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 60 years Moscha Despotides, son, John Nick Despotides and his brother Manoli Despotides. He is survived by his daughter, Presvytera Flora D. Chioros and her husband, Rev. Protopresbyter George Chioros, of Newport News; his beloved grandson, Constantine “Dean” George Chioros of Newport News and his four siblings Rev. Protopresbyter Markos (Presvytera Maria), Demetrios, Sophia and Moscha and many nieces, nephews and friends in Greece and the United States.
The family wishes to thank all those who loved and cared for Father Nick over the years especially Leila and Susan who became part of the family.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at SS. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church from 4:00-6:00 pm with a Trisagion Service at 6:00 pm. A Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Friday, January 28, 2022 at 9:30 am with the Funeral Service following at 11:30 am at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Bethesda, MD. A private interment at a later date will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Silver Spring, MD. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church of Bethesda, MD or SS. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church of Newport News, VA. Arrangements by Weymouth Funeral Home and Robert A. Pumphrey Funeral Home, Bethesda, MD.
